Virginia Tech to become the first in the nation to create a school of neuroscience
November 20, 2015
Virginia Tech is poised to become the first university in the nation to have a school of neuroscience. The decision came after the Board of Visitors unanimously voted to approve the school on Monday, Nov. 9.
The field of neuroscience is fairly new to Virginia Tech. The neuroscience major was only made available at the beginning of this academic year.
The field of neuroscience is fairly new to Virginia Tech. The neuroscience major was only made available at the beginning of this academic year.
“What is so unique about this — the school of neuroscience and the neuroscience major — it is entirely in response to student demands,” Sontheimer said.
The idea of the school was presented by Sontheimer to Virginia Tech in the form of a guest lecture in June. Later that month the university hired Sontheimer to implement the plan.
Rather than creating a department or college like many other universities, Sontheimer had a different vision. According to Sontheimer, creating a school allows for a more interdisciplinary approach that has been helpful to the neuroscience field.